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Miliband under pressure to match Tories' EU referendum pledge Miliband under pressure to match Tories' EU referendum pledge
(about 11 hours later)
Ed Miliband is facing renewed pressure to match the Conservatives' EU referendum pledge after Britain's largest trade union called on Labour to support a vote or risk finding itself boxed in at next year's general election.Ed Miliband is facing renewed pressure to match the Conservatives' EU referendum pledge after Britain's largest trade union called on Labour to support a vote or risk finding itself boxed in at next year's general election.
The Unite union, which announced earlier this week that it would help fund Labour's general election campaign, approved a motion at its conference in Liverpool calling for a referendum on Britain's EU membership.The Unite union, which announced earlier this week that it would help fund Labour's general election campaign, approved a motion at its conference in Liverpool calling for a referendum on Britain's EU membership.
The motion, proposed by Unite's executive council, said that a failure by Labour to support a referendum would leave the party with "an electoral millstone" next year. The motion, proposed by Unite's executive council, said a failure by Labour to support a referendum would leave the party with an "electoral millstone" next year.
The Unite general secretary, Len McCluskey, said of the motion: "It calls on Labour not to box itself in on the referendum question. This issue has bedevilled British politics for decades. For much of that time it has been the Tories who have had to deal with divisions in their ranks over Europe. But the next general election will be different. Both Ukip and the Tories will be offering a referendum on the issue of Britain's membership." The general secretary, Len McCluskey, said of the motion: "It calls on Labour not to box itself in on the referendum question. This issue has bedevilled British politics for decades. For much of that time it has been the Tories who have had to deal with divisions in their ranks over Europe. But the next general election will be different. Both Ukip and the Tories will be offering a referendum on the issue of Britain's membership."
McCluskey also accused the Labour leadership of refusing to hold a referendum as a way of impressing business leaders. He said: "As things stand, Labour won't [call for a referendum] because ducking this question is seen as part of Labour's commitment to business. That is a vast hostage to fortune. I would not like to be Ed Miliband explaining why he is not joining other parties in offering the British people a vote on something that is clearly a growing source of public concern.McCluskey also accused the Labour leadership of refusing to hold a referendum as a way of impressing business leaders. He said: "As things stand, Labour won't [call for a referendum] because ducking this question is seen as part of Labour's commitment to business. That is a vast hostage to fortune. I would not like to be Ed Miliband explaining why he is not joining other parties in offering the British people a vote on something that is clearly a growing source of public concern.
"We do not seek a referendum to take Britain out of the EU. We seek a referendum rethink in order to help get Labour into power here in Britain. Without such a pledge our party will stand exposed. Ukip will be strengthened in some key constituencies. The Tories will hypocritically charge Labour with being anti-democratic."We do not seek a referendum to take Britain out of the EU. We seek a referendum rethink in order to help get Labour into power here in Britain. Without such a pledge our party will stand exposed. Ukip will be strengthened in some key constituencies. The Tories will hypocritically charge Labour with being anti-democratic.
"In a tight election this can make the difference. So let's give the British people a say on the EU, and when they do, Unite will be there arguing for the benefits of internationalism and a real social Europe.""In a tight election this can make the difference. So let's give the British people a say on the EU, and when they do, Unite will be there arguing for the benefits of internationalism and a real social Europe."
The Labour leadership played down the Unite vote, saying that it disproved the Tory claim that the party is run by Unite. "Is this us in the pockets of the union with them backing a Tory policy or is it the Tory party in their pockets this week? Unite are entitled to their opinion, it is our job to set out what we believe is in the best interests of the country." The Labour leadership played down the union's vote, saying that it disproved the Tory claim that the party is run by Unite. "Is this us in the pockets of the union with them backing a Tory policy or is it the Tory party in their pockets this week? Unite are entitled to their opinion – it is our job to set out what we believe is in the best interests of the country."
John Mills, the Labour donor who chairs Labour for a referendum, said: "Unite are right to urge the Labour party to support a referendum on membership of the European Union. MPs, councillors, party activists and union members are all clear – Britain deserves a referendum on the EU question. The number of voices urging the Labour leadership to support an in/out referendum continues to grow as it is clear offering an in/out referendum pledge which will help secure a Labour government in 2015." John Mills, the Labour donor who chairs Labour for a Referendum, said: "Unite are right to urge the Labour party to support a referendum on membership of the European Union. MPs, councillors, party activists and union members are all clear – Britain deserves a referendum on the EU question. The number of voices urging the Labour leadership to support an in/out referendum continues to grow as it is clear offering an in/out referendum pledge which will help secure a Labour government in 2015."
The vote by Unite follows Nick Clegg's success in defeating an attempt by senior Liberal Democrats to match the Tories by guaranteeing a "seductive" EU referendum. The party will maintain its current policy, which is to hold a referendum if UK sovereignty is passed to the EU. David Cameron would go further and offer a referendum in 2017 regardless of the result of negotiations on the future of the EU.The vote by Unite follows Nick Clegg's success in defeating an attempt by senior Liberal Democrats to match the Tories by guaranteeing a "seductive" EU referendum. The party will maintain its current policy, which is to hold a referendum if UK sovereignty is passed to the EU. David Cameron would go further and offer a referendum in 2017 regardless of the result of negotiations on the future of the EU.